THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE
EXIT EXAM HANDOUTS MADE BY:
GRAPHICSCLUB S.Y. 2015-2016
THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
SPACE AND FORM
“The Unity of Opposite”
Form Defining Space
A. With Horizontal Elements
1. Base Plane – horizontal plane laying as a
figure on a contrasting background.
2. Base Plane Elevated – horizontal plane
elevated above the ground plane.
3. Base Plane Depressed – horizontal plane
depressed into the ground.
4. Overhead Plane – horizontal plane located
overhead.
B. With Vertical Elements
1. Linear Vertical Elements – defines vertical
edges of 3 volume of space.
2. Vertical Plane – articulate the space that it
fronts.
3. L – Shaped Plane – generates field of space
from its corner outward along a diagonal.
4. Parallel Planes – defines volume of space
between them.
5. U –Shaped Plane – defines volume of space
oriented toward the open end.
6. Four Planes – articulate the field of space
around the enclosure.
PROPORTION AND SCALE
Proportion – relationship of elements and composition
1. Material Proportion
2. Structural Proportion
3. Manufactured Proportion
Types: Harmonic, Arithmetic, Geometric
Theories of Proportion
1. Golden Section 1:1.618.
2. The Orders
3. Renaissance Theories
- Alberti: De Re Aedificatoria
- Palladio: Four Books of Architecture
- Vignola: The Five Order of Architecture
4. The Modular - Le Corbusier’s study on
human proportion
5. The “Ken” - traditional Japanese unit of
length, equal to six Japanese feet (shaku)
6. Anthropomorphic –based on the
measurement and proportion of the human
body
7. Scale - size of something compared to a
reference standard
PROXEMICS
Proxemics is the semiotics of space. Originally
developed by Edward T. Hall in
Definitions of proxemics:
1. “the study of ways in which man gains
knowledge of the content of other men’s minds
through judgements of behavior patterns
associated with varying degrees of proximity to
them” (1964: 41)
2. “the interrelated observations and theories of
man’s use of space as a specialized elaboration
of culture” (1996: 1)
3. “the study of man’s perception and use of
space” (1968: 83)

• Intimate distance -for embracing, touching
or whispering ranges anywhere between 6
to 18 inches or even closer.
• Personal distance- for interactions among
good friends or family members
ranges anywhere from 1.5 feet to 4 feet.
• Social distance -for interactions among
acquaintances ranges anywhere from 4 to
12 feet.
• Public distance -used for public speaking
ranges anywhere from 12 to 25 feet
VISUAL ACUITY AND PERCEPTION
Visual Acuity
- acuteness or clearness of vision, which is
dependent on the sharpness of the retinal focus
within the eye and the sensitivity of the
interpretative faculty of the brain.
- a measure of the spatial resolution of the visual
processing system
Perception
- the method by w/c the brain takes all the
sensations people experience at any given
moment and allows them to be interpreted in
some meaningful fashion.
* perceptual constancy
- the property of remaining stable
Forms of Perceptual Constancy
1. Size Constancy
- interprets an object as always being the same size,
regardless of its distance from the viewer.
2. Shape constancy
-interprets the shape of an object as being constant,
even when its shape changes on the retina.
3. Brightness Constancy
- perceives the apparent brightness of an object as the
same even when the lights condition changes.
Gestalt Principles
1. Figure Ground Relationship
tendency to perceive objects, or figures, as
existing on a background.
2. Proximity
occurswhen elements are placed close
together. They tend to be perceived as a group.
3. Similarity
occurs when things that look similar are part of
a same group.
4. Continuity
occurs when the eye is compelled to move
through one object and continue to another
object.
5. Closure
Perceiving complete figure that are incomplete
6. Contiguity
Perceive things as simply as possible with a
continuous pattern than a complex broken
pattern.
Depth Perception
-the ability to perceive the world in
three dimensions
1. Monocular cues- parallel lines
appear to converge each other
2. Binocular cues - -Rotation of two eyes to focus on an
object.
Two Types of Vision: THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2
1. Stereoscopic - applied to man’s ability to
overlap views ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
2. Kinesthetic – man experiences space in the
movements of the eye from one part of a FOUR SIGNIFICANT PHASES
whole work of art to another • Definition of the project
• Development of Design Strategies and Concepts
PSYCHOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE • Development of Design and Appreciation
} Architecture falls under environmental • Final Design and Appreciation
psychology
DEFINITION OF THE PROJECT
} The elements that affects a person’s perception
• A phase where the project is clearly defined
of a structure are:
through information and data from the
} Color client/owner.
} Texture
} Space
} Light – the most effective element in creating a
sense of mystery and awe
The manipulation of light has been a key element in the
building of religious structures
Environmental Psychology
} Attention or Understanding – how people
notice their environment
} Perception and Cognitive Mapping – how
people cognitively map what they experience
based on what they know and think they know
about the environment Goal –is a more general statement of what to achieve in
} People naturally seek out places where they the end
feel confident, competent, feel comfortable and
Scope of the project
enjoy.
} Studies show that people tend to look for: Part of the background that discusses the extent or
Coherence – a sense that things in the coverage of the project that can be translated into
environment connect spaces or architectural undertaking within the realm of
Legibility – a sense that people can explore architect’s service.
without being lost For a residential house, here is an example:

Gestalt Psychology “Aside from regular architectural design, the project

Gestalt – form or shape
} Seeks to explore how the mind forms images
and patterns
} Proximity Gestalt – Illustrates how people see a
pattern in space despite distance
} Repetitive Gestalt – demonstrates equalities in
object spacing where non may exist
} Simplest and latest figure Gestalt – suggests
that the mind may fill in the missing portions of
the simplest and largest figures visually
presented
willinclude thematic designs for interior of all
privatebedrooms and bathroom as well as landscaping
design for the front porch.”
Project Objectives
Objectives- are specific intentions to be done to reach
the goal
In the design process, there are two types:
1. Project Objective – Client
2. Design Objectives - Designer to be discussed
further in
Example: to design a family room that will encourage
maximum bonding with family members
Project objectives are the most logical basis in deciding
for the best design strategy.
Site of the Project
Contains information about the site or location. It
describes the location, lot area or size, shape (regular or
irregular), dimensions or measurements.
3. Appreciation of Design Alternatives
4. Final Design Proposal and Presentation
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN CONCEPT
Design Concept is the motivating idea that give
direction for design considerations to directly influence
the satisfaction of design objectives.

Building Requirements Concern and Issues in developing Concepts:

All requirements and data needed in putting up a • Functional Zoning
specific building: legal codes, space requirements, • Architectural Space
standards, needs and wants of the user/owner. • Circulation and Building Form
• Response to context
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN STRATEGIES
• Building Envelope (Elevation)
1. Design Objectives
2. Design Considerations ANALOGIES AND METAPHORS
3. Programming • Analogies are very useful in generating overall
4. Technical space analysis design concepts because it is fairly easy to make
the necessary
Design Objectives comparisons with
known objects to
Architect’s intention on what to accomplish at the end
generate new ideas
of the design process
about the object to
Influenced by project objectives be designed.
EXAMPLES
Answers the needs of the project which can be • A building lying
translated into spatial or architectural activities on a hill
Influenced by other factors that the architect will
include in his statement of objectives. These factors
influencing his objectives are the design considerations
A GOOD CONCEPT DIAGRAM
Design Considerations
• Simple – simple diagram giving full representation
Influencing factors that are considered in designing the of the idea
building and its environment. • Strong visual impact – minimal detail, strong lines,
These are factors may not be directly related in arrows showing
architecture but are needed since they affect the design direction where
of the building necessary
• Brief verbal
Geared toward the attainment of the design objectives
description – few
Also hinge on the project objectives words as possible to
make the meaning
clear

DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ITS ALTERNATIVES

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS
1. Development of Design Concept
2. Development of Design Alternatives
Once a design concept is established, different design
schemes that meet the design objectives are developed.
Using technical space data from the previous stage will
facilitate developing architectural forms needed for the
schemes. Forms,mass proportions and other mass
considerations will play vital role. The viable
alternatives are further developed into preliminary
design for appreciation. These schemes should be
comprehensive detailed designs that shows a plan ,
elevation , section and other important drawings and
graphical illustrations.
We should also consider the advantages and
disadvantages of different schemes and alternatives.
APPRECIATION OF DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
Objective appreciation and criticism of each scheme
should be observed.The opinion of others should be
sought after. Objective and meritorious criticism should
help achieve an improvement in the design. The
improved design scheme will follow series of
reassessment particularly in the detail level of design to
arrive at the final design.
At this stage of the process the designer should exhaust
all his / her efforts for the purpose of arriving at not as
simply a mediocre traditional solution but rather
exceptional innovative design.
Final Design Proposal and Presentation
At this stage, the designer makes an accounting of all
drawing requirements, makes mock-up composition of
drawings per board and established the work load for
production. A work schedule is produced with the use
of bar charts, considering production rate, logistics and
available time frame. A decision of what medium of
presentation values of using impressive mediums.
During this last stage, the refinements and further
detailing is done
DEFINITIONS OF TREATISE, THEORIES
& PHILOSOPHIES
TREATISE- is a systematic, usually extensive written
discourse on a subject. It is also defined as a formal
work on a subject, especially, one that deals
systematically with its principles and conclusions.
TREATISE
• The oldest architectural Treatise and the only
one to have survived complete from pre-
Christian times is the De architectura, known
today as The Ten Books on Architecture, a
treatise written of Latin and Greek on
architecture by Vitruvius.. This work is the only
surviving major book on architecture from
classical antiquity.
• After Alberti’s writings, the goals of good
architecture had been described in terms of the
Vitruvian principles.
• Vitruvian base began to collapse by 1800s.
• From around 1750 new methods were gradually
developed for description of architecture.
• The focus now shifted towards the buildings
formal qualities – “Beauty arises from the well-
arranged or attractive shape or design…”
• Alongside the numerous debates on stylistic
theory, the large format portfolios and pattern
books of sample plans decisively shaped 19th
century architectural thinking.
• With the advent of Modernism, technological
and social, in other words non-aesthetic
considerations started to be applied to
architecture.
THEORIES
• A well-substantiated explanation of some
aspect of the natural world.
• A hypothesis: a tentative insight into the natural
world; a concept that is not yet verified but that
if true would explain certain facts or
phenomena.
• Architectural theory is the act of thinking,
discussing, or most importantly writing about
architecture
PHILOSOPHY
• Our beliefs shape the way we build.
PHILOSOPHIES
Philosophy is the study of general and
•
fundamental problems concerning matters such
as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind,
and language
Examples:
• When you arrange your living room furniture,
think less of symmetry and more of comfort. -
Billy Balwin
• Stick to the things you love. An honest room is
always up to date.
- Billy Baldwin
• Repeat shapes to gain harmony.
- Eleanor McMillen Brown
• We cannot do better than to accept the
standards of other times, and to adapt them to
our uses. - Elsie de Wolfe
THEORY
Architectural theory is the act of thinking, discussing, or
most importantly writing about architecture.
Architectural theory is taught in most architecture
schools and is practiced by the world's leading
architects.
• Vitruvius’s Ten Books on Architecture, the
earliest remaining written document on
architectural theories and discussed almost
every aspect of Roman architecture, from town
planning, materials, decorations, temples,
water supplies, etc. It also gathers three
fundamental laws that Architecture must obey,
in order to be so considered: firmness,
commodity (in the sense of functionality), and
delight which is called the Threefold Principles.
• The rediscovery of Vitruvius' work had a
profound influence on architects of the
Renaissance, prompting the rise of the
Renaissance style.
• Around the turn of the twentieth century
Camillo Sitte published the City Planning
according to Artistic Principles which was not
exactly a criticism of architectural form, but
more precisely an aesthetic criticism of the
nineteenth century's urbanism. Mainly an urban
planning theory book, it has a deep influence in
architecture, as the two disciplines are deeply
intertwined.
• For Sitte, the most important is not the
architectural shape or form of each building,
but the inherent creative quality of urban
space, the whole as much more than the sum of
its parts.
• Modernist movements rejected these thoughts
and modernism had many theorists and
proponents.
• Demand for "the elimination of ornament"
together with the slogan "form follows
function" was a principle of the modern
architecture movement which came to
dominate the 20th Century.
• Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohr and
Le Corbusier provided the theoretical basis for
the international style with aims of using
industrialized architecture to reshape society.
• Towards the end of the century postmodern
architecture reacted against the austerity of
High Modern (International Style) principles,
viewed as slightly standard and rigid.
• In contemporary architectural discourse theory
has become more concerned with its position
within culture generally, which is why university
courses on architecture theory may often spend
just as much time discussing philosophy and
cultural studies as buildings.
• In the past decade, there has been rebirth of
the old "organic design" theories, but in a much
more scientific setting. Several currents and
design methodologies are being developed
simultaneously, and some of these reinforce
whereas others contrast with each other.
• We are witnessing a growth of new ideas that
are generating an entirely new type of
architectural theory.
THEORIES IN THE ANTIQUITY
Ten books on architecture De architectura
By Vitruvius
THREEFOLD PRINCIPLE
1. Firmness (Firmitas) - building decides how long
it will be able to withstand the inevitable.
2. Utility (Utilitas)– every building erected serves
a purpose to its patrons or contractors. That is
to say, every building serves a specific utility, be
it religious, civic, educational, or so on.
3. Beauty:– (Venustas)-Beauty, or delight, is the
trickiest element of Vitruvius’, It is concerned
how color and light interrelate with each other
inside and outside of the building, and more.
.TEN BOOKS ON ARCHITECTURE BOOK – 1-
ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES
Chapter 1 – Education of the architect
• The architect should be equipped with the
knowledge of many branches of study.
• Theory, manual skills (drawing), naturally gifted,
amenable to instruction, wide knowledge of
history, Philosophy, music, mathematical
theory, climate, etc., and function of the
architect need training in all department of
learning.
Chapter 2 – Fundamental principles of architecture
• Architecture depends on order, arrangements,
eurhythmy, symmetry, propriety & economy.
Chapter 3 – departments of architectureT
 • here are 3 departments of architecture – 1. Art Chapter-5 – Specifications for the Ionic order
of building 2. Making of timepiece, 3.
BOOK IV. - DORIC AND CORINTHIAN TEMPLES
Construction of machinery
Chapter-1 – origins of 3 orders
Chapter – 4 – the site of a city
Chapter-2 – rules for work in marble & other stone
• For fortified towns - Choice of a very healthy
site, climate, wind, nature and aquatic nature, Chapter-3 – Proportions and symmetry for Doric order
food
Chapter-4 – Details the Cella
Chapter – 5 – City Walls
Chapter-5 – Facing of the door
Towers must be projected beyond the line of the walls.
Chapter-6 – Construction of temple doors
Layout of towns, thickness of walls
Chapter-7 – Rules for constructing a Tuscan temple
Chapter -6 – Directions of the streets with remarks on
the winds

Chapter -7 – The sites for public buildings

BOOK II. - EVOLUTION OF BUILDING : USE OF

MATERIALS

Chapter-1 – Origin of the dwelling house

Chapter-2 – Primordial substance

Chapter-3 - Brick - Vitruvius’s brick bond

Chapter-4 – Chapter -10 – Building materials Sand,

Lime, Pozzalana kind of powder (similar to Volcanic ash)
used mixed with lime & rubble, stone, Methods of BOOK V. - PUBLIC BUILDINGS, THEATRES (AND MUSIC),
building walls, timber, highland and lowland fir BATHS, HARBOURS.

BOOK III. - IONIC TEMPLES Chapter-1 – Forum & basilicas

Chapter-1 – symmetry as manifest in the human body
and as applies to the design of temples
Chapter-2 – Chapter 7- classifications of temples based
on placement and number of rows of columns
Chapter-2 – Treasury, prison & Senate house
Chapter-3 – The Theatre – its site, foundation &
acoustics
Chapter-4 – Harmonics

Chapter-5 – Soundings vessels in the theatre Forum

Chapter-6 – Plan of the theatre

Chapter- 7 – Greek Theatres

Chapter-8 – Acoustics of the site of a theatre

Chapter-9 – Colonnades and walks

Chapter-10 – Baths
Chapter -3 – Analysis of the plans of temples BOOK VI – THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF PRIVATE
HOUSES
Chapter-4 – Laying of the foundation and the base of
the temple Chapter-1 – Climate as determining the style of the
house
Chapter-2 – Symmetry and modifications to suit the site
Chapter-3 – Proportions of the principle rooms
Chapter-4 – Proper exposures of different rooms
Chapter-5 – How the rooms should be suited to the
station of the owner
Chapter-6 – The Farm House
Chapter-7 – Greek House
Chapter-8 – Foundations and sub-structures
BOOK VII – FINISHING AND METHODS OF GIVING
BEAUTY & DURABILITY
Chapter-1 – Floors
Chapter-2 – Ch-6 - Stucco work – Using lime, vaulting, in
damp places, decorations, using marble & Fresco
Painting
Chapter-7 – Chapter-14– COLORS - Natural & Artificial
Quick silver, Cinnabar, black, Blue – burnt ochre, white
lead, Purple, Substitute for purple yellow ochre,
malachite green & indigo
BOOK VIII – HOW TO FIND WATER & LOCALITIES
Chapter-1 – Chapter-6 - How to find water, Rainwater,
Various properties of different waters, Tests of good
water, Leveling & Leveling Instruments, Aqueducts,
Wells and cisterns
BOOK IX – RULES OF DIALING AND SUN PATH
Chapter-1 – The Zodiac and the planets
Chapter-2 – The Phases of the moon
Chapter-3 – The course of the sun through 12 signs
Chapter-4 – The Northern Constellation
Chapter-5 – The Southern Constellations
Chapter-6 – Astrology and Weather
Chapter-7 – The Alalemma (sun dial) and its
applications
Chapter-8 – Sundials and water clocks
BOOK X – THE PRINCIPLES WHICH GOVERNS
MACHINES
Chapter-1 – Machines and implements
Chapter-2 – Hoisting Machines
Chapter-3 – Elements of Motion
Chapter-4 – Engines for raising water
Chapter-5 – Water Wheels and Water Mills
Chapter-6 – Water Screw
Chapter-7 – Pump
Chapter-8 – The Water Organ
Chapter-9 – The Hodometer (Measure distance when
travelling in water)
Chapter-10 – Catapults
Chapter-11 – Ballistae (machine used to throw stones)
Chapter-12 – The stringing and tuning catapults
Chapter-13 – Siege machines (battering rams)
Chapter-14 – The Tortoise (filling ditches)
Chapter- 15 – Hegetor’s Tortoise
Chapter-16 – Measures of Defence
MEDIEVAL THEORIES
• Most works were theological, and were
transcriptions of the bible, so the architectural
theories were the notes on structures included
in those.
• The Abbot Suger's Book of St Denis on What
was done during his Administration was an
architectural document that emerged with
gothic architecture and Villard de Honnecourt's
portfolio of drawings from about the 1230s.
THE BIRTH OF GOTHIC
• Abbot Suger's philosophy known as "the
upward leading method."
• He believed that the universe consists of the
"Father of Lights" (God) and the "smaller lights"
(the people)
The symbolism of churches and church
ornaments – by William Durandus
 • The paragon of Christian symbolism should be
viewed as much more than an aesthetically
pleasing example.
• Through the surpassing beauty of Gothic
architecture God was vividly displaying a
liturgical and theological principle.
• The unrivalled symbolic beauty of the Medieval
Church was providentially intended as a
timeless principle illustrating how sacramental
signs and instruments convey the grace of God.
NEO-CLASSICAL THEORIES
Andrea Palladio
• Italian Renaissance architect of the Mannerist
period who is widely considered as the most
influential individual in the history of Western
architecture.
• Palladian architecture became a European style
of architecture which is derived from the
designs of Palladio.
• Palladio’s work was strongly based on the
symmetry, perspective and values of the formal
classical temple architecture of the Ancient
Greeks and Romans.
• Example of Palladio’s work : Villa Rotonda,
Vicenza – Italy
• Palladio’s famous treatise “The Four Books of
Architecture” (I Quattro libri dell architettura)
published in 1570 describes the principles
behind his architecture, which was used for
“Palladianism” or Palladian inspired classicism.
It provided systematic rules and plans for
buildings which were creative and unique.
IacomoBarozzi da Vignola (1507 – 1573)
• was one of the great Italian architects of 16th
century Mannerism.
• His “The five orders of architecture”
(Regoladellicinqueordinid’architettura) first
published 1562 in Rome, is one of the most
successful architectural text books ever written.
• The book presented Vignola's practical system
for constructing columns in the five classical
orders (Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and
Composite) utilizing proportions which Vignola
derived from his own measurements of classical
Roman monuments.
• The articles on each of the orders are divided
into five sections:
– The colonnade
– Individual pedestal and base forms
–Arcade
– Individual capital and entablature
forms
–Arcade with pedestal
• Vignola’s goal was to develop a set of rules for
proportions that can be understood by
“average minds”.
• Based on his practical work, he laid down the
ratio of pedestal: column: entablature = 4:12:3,
Thus the total height of an order = 19 sections
or 15 if no pedestal.
• Example of Vignola’s work:
-Villa Giulia for Pope Julius III, in Rome
-Church of Sant'Andrea, Rome
RENAISSANCE THEORY
• architects based their theories and practices on
Classical Roman examples
• They wanted to create structures that would
appeal to both emotion and reason.
• Filippo Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, and
Andrea Palladio.
• Brunelleschi was considered as the “Father of
the Renaissance” whose new visions created
the first architecture of the Renaissance
• Manneti’s Biography - first comprehensive
biography of a single Italian artist to be written
during early Renaissance
• Leon Battista Alberti (1404 – 1472) known as a
renaissance architect authored De re
aedificatoria (On the Art of Building) a classic
architectural treatise written between 1443 and
1452 with Ten Books of Architecture.
SUSTAINABLE THEORIES
THE GREEN MOVEMENT
• One of the most significant changes that the
architectural profession has witnessed since the
beginning of 21t century has been the rising
environmental concerns and the demand for the
use of clean energy
• At present time, there is an expanding network
of national and local building codes that are
directed to Green Architectural Planning
• EPBD – Energy Performance of Building Directive
(passed by European Union in 2003)
• BREEAM – Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Method (United
Kingdom)
• Green Star (Australia)
• CASBEE – Comprehensive Assessment System for
Built Environment Efficiency (Japan)
• LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (United States)
• SPeAR – Sustainable Project Appraisal Routine
matrix (developed and used by ARUP a
sustainable consultancy company)
•
HANNOVER PRINCIPLES - By William McDonough, 1992
• This document written by McDonough was
intended to provide a set of operating guidelines
for the sustainable development of Expo 2000 in
Hanover, Germany
• The principles were accompanied by a detailed
explanation of the five elements which were
considered in the ancient world;
• The Principles are to be considered by designers,
planners, government officials and all involved in
setting priorities for the built environment.
CRADLE TO CRADLE-William McDonough and Michael
Braungart, 2002
• This book calls for the transformation of human
industry through ecologically intelligent design.
• They argue that an industrial system that "takes,
makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods
and services that generate ecological, social and
economic value.
• As per the authors, when designers employ the
intelligence of natural systems like the abundance
of the sun's energy—they can create products,
industrial systems, buildings and even regional
plans that allow nature and commerce to fruitfully
co-exist.
• McDonough implemented these principles in many
of his designs for industrial buildings as well as
master plans
Eco Skyscrapers, 1994
Ecodesign, 2006
EcoMasterPlanning, 2009
Ken Yeang
• One of the most comprehensive guides to
sustainable design
• Attention is mainly focussed on the sustainability of
tall buildings
• As per Yeang, the best way to achieve a good
relationship between the natural and built
environment is not necessarily through the new
technologies, but through passive or “bioclimatic”
means
• He applied this strategy to the design of IBM tower
Kuala Lumpur
Green Urbanism
• European cities are leading the way in
Green Urbanism
Some examples where Principles of Green Urbanism
practiced;
1. Helsinki and Copenhagen
• Preservation of historical forested areas near
cities, and expanding them
• Introducing rural landscape into transportation
arteries and urban residential areas
2. Hanover, Germany
• Introduction of ecological farms, green schools and
street system that minimizes the use of
automobiles
• The cities powered by wind turbines, introducing
solar panels and many heat recovery systems
. Amersfoort, Holland
• Smaller towns with more walking and cycling
facilities
• All community amenities are within walking
distance
4. Greenwich Millennium Village &Beddington Zero
Energy Development, London
 • Use of rooftop wind cowls to ventilate the units
• Discouragement of non-electric automobile
5. Vancouver, British Columbia
• Preservation of farmland and integrating large
sections of green areas to the metropolis
• Development of compact neighbourhoods and
connecting small towns through elevated rail
system
. Dongtan – Chongming, China
• Protection of local agricultural areas, wildlife
habitats and biodiversity
• Zero carbon emission
• Water recycling
7. City of Masdar, Abu Dhabi
• Largely powered by a solar farm
• Removal of automobiles and introducing tram lines
• Pedestrian streets are aligned to remain in shadow
• Large urban squares with louvered screens to
protect from the desert sun
THEMES IN TECHNOLOGICALLY
INSPIRED ARCHITECTURE:
Contemporary Architecture
• Contemporary architects display a lack of interest
in ‘style’
• it is possible to identify a number of broad themes
that are currently being explored in contemporary
architecture because they are based on principles
rather than rules
TECHNOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
• technological advancement brings in a powerful
effect
• its presence have become a part of the collective
stimulus that makes the building
THEMES
• POP – Popular representation of the romantic
image of advanced technology. It follows the
trend rather than makes it.
INFLUENCES:
o Popular version of Modern Movement
architecture
o Art Deco
o Futurist movement
o Historicism
o Futurism
o Streamline moderne
• PURE – Purist, minimal response to the essence
of technique and materiality. Stripping away of
decorative elements was the core
characteristics. It was inspired with traditional
Japanese architecture.
EXAMPLES: Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van de
Rohe, Work by Tadao Ando
• ORGANIC – An interpretation of the way
technology emerges from natural organic form.
To know what something is made of is to
recognize its history
EXAMPLES: Cast Iron and Wrought Iron details,
Paris metro Station by Hector Guimard
OTHER INTERPRETATIONS:
o Louis Sullivan pioneered a version of
Organic Expressionism – with intricately
decorated cast metal panels
o Frank Lloyd Wright did not restrict his
inspiration to the sinuous form of the plant
“Architecture should strive to imitate the
principles of nature without imitating its forms”
o Eugene Violet-le-duc - tried to express the true
nature of architecture and believed the functional
legacy of Gothic to be the only precedent that a
modern architect required.
o Hector Guimard - buildings incorporated carved
stone and wood in flowing sinuous shapes that
resembled the living, growing asymmetry of
nature.
o Felix Candela - found structural forms found in
nature such as shells (1951) then created a series
of more evocative forms based on pure geometry
but still suggestive of the natural structure of eggs
and sea shells.
o Santiago Calatrava exploited the essence of the
organic in structures
• TECTONIC
-A celebration of the application of technology
in the articulation of structure and component
design.
 -High-Tech is a term that was used in 1980s for interior spaces, large expanses of glass and steel.
an architecture that overtly expressed the
contemporary materials and techniques used in 9. MINIMALISM – emphasis is placed on the outline, or
construction frame of the structure.
-Exposed elements, building skin defined as a 10. POST MODERNISM –
described as theatrical and sait
separate element
to be trying to create instant or
EXAMPLES: Pompidou Centre by Paris Richard neo-history.
Rogers and Renzo Piano, Eagle Rock House 11. DECONSTRUCTIVISM-
Sussex by UK Ian Ritchie tends to produce a sense of
dislocation both within the forms of projects and
between the forms and their contexts.
20TH CENTURY “ISM”S
1. CLASSICISM/NEO-CLASSICISM- Neoclassical, or
"new" classical, architecture describes buildings
that are inspired by the classical architecture of ARCHITECTS
ancient Greece and Rome.
GIACOMO BAROZZI DA VIGNOLA
• Characteristics –
Symmetrical • La regoladelli cinque ordinid'architetturais the
shape, Triangular one of the most successful architectural
pediment, Domed textbooks ever written. It deals with the
roof, Tall columns classical orders. Doric, corinthian, ionic, tuscan
and full height and composite
bldg. FILARETE
2. ECLECTICISM - Eclecticism is the practice of • Did the bronze central door of St. Peter, Rome
borrowing a variety of • Trattatod’architettura(“Treatise on
styles from other Architecture”) 25 volumes , focused on the
geographical regions study plans for an ideal Renaissance city named
and eras in one Sforzinda in 1460-1464 inspired by alberti’s De
architectural re aedificatoria
composition. LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI
- Often this • Basilica Sta. Maria Novella Geometric
involved re-interpreting a proportioning system as applied in the design of
historical style and adding a the facade of the church
completely new spin. LUOIS SULLIVAN
3. MODERNISM - The visual • Stock Exchange Building In Chicago
aesthetic of modern architecture was largely inspired by • Auditorium Building
the machine and by abstract painting and sculpture. • Schiller Building in Chicago
4. BRUTALISM - Rugged reinforced concrete PHILIP JOHNSON
construction INTERNATIONAL STYLE
5. FUNCTIONALISM – design utilitarian structure } Characterized by the use of such modern materials as
which the interior program dictates the outward form. glass and steel, and emphasizing function and structure
6. EXPRESSIONISM – over ornamental decoration
Characterized by the free • Glass House
use of abstract form. • Seagram Building
7. FORMALISM – • Sony Building
emphasizes form

8. INTERNATIONALISM –
style most common WALTER GROPIUS
characteristics are BAUHAUS
rectilinear forms, open -under three different architect-directors Gropius,
Meyer, and Rohe. and tower
-minimalism as well as function as a style of architecture
KISHO KUROKAWA
LE CORBUSIER • the Metabolist Movement
• “A HOUSE IS A MACHINE FOR LIVING IN” radical Japanese avant- grande movement pursuing
• DOM-INO HOUSE the merging and recycling of architectural styles
• VILLA SAVOYE within an Asian context
A manifesto of Le Corbusier's "five points" of new • ROPPONGI PRINCE HOTEL
architecture, • VICTORIA CENTRAL
FIVE POINTS IN ARCHITECTURE SANTIAGO CALATRAVA
o pillars supporting the structure, thus freeing the HIS WORKS/DESIGNS
ground beneath the building • Turning torso - Inspiration from the human body in
o a roof terrace, transformable into a garden and an a twisting motion.
essential part of the house
• Planetarium - The eye with its emphasis on the
o an open floor plan;
pupil intrigues
o a facade free of ornamentation
owindows in strips that affirm the independence of the • Peace bridge Calgary- The design concept for
structural frame. The interior provides the typical this one is from the human body doing the
spatial contrast between open, split-level living space
form of an X connecting form another body
and the cell-like bedrooms
• NOTRE DAME DE HAUT • Milwaukee art museum- incorporates multiple
The expressionist structure is built mostly of concrete elements inspired by the Museum's lakefront
and stone location. movable steel louvers inspired by the
wings of a bird; a cabled pedestrian bridge with a
VAN DE ROHE soaring mast inspired by the form or a sailboat and
• “LESS IS MORE” a curving single-storey galleria reminiscent of a
• “Skin and bone architecture” wave
• VILLA TUGENDHAT TOYO ITO
o three-story villa -pritzker laureate toyoito, renowned for flexible spaces
o "less is more" and emphasis on functional amenities that appeal to the human senses
• BARCELONA PAVILION
o known for its simple form and its spectacular use of - HIS WORKS/DESIGN
extravagant materials, such as marble, red onyx and
• ALUMINUM HOUSE
travertine
• FARNSWORTH HOUSE • SENDAI MEDIATHEQUE
• SILVER HUT
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT • ODATE DOME
• "form and function are one." • SUITES AVENUE
• Organic architecture strives to integrate space • TOWER OF THE WINDS
into a unified whole.
• FALLINGWATER, MILL RUN, PENNSYLVANIA
• THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, NEW YORK, NEW
YORK
• ROBIE HOUSE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
prime example of Wright's Prairie style, a poem to
the low-slung horizontality of the American prairie.

GDR
• Socialist Realism” with the slogan “socialist in
content and national in form.”
• The socialist city planning gave importance to
the three urban elements square, parade street